Is there a future for biofuel in Europe?

Seven years ago, the European Union enacted the renewable energy legislation that encouraged the use of biofuels in order to decrease carbon emissions from transport. But since then, there has been some concern about the unintended effects of changing farming practices to grow crops for the fuel – specifically about whether land use change could result in more emissions than biofuels actually abate, or affect food prices. Environmental NGOs want companies to switch to newer, ‘second-generation’ biofuels, which they say lead to less land use change.

In reaction to the concern, the European Commission has proposed phasing out the use of so-called ‘first generation’ biofuels. The proposed legislation would end support for all such biofuels regardless of their impact on land use. Many are concerned that this policy changes an over-correction by unfairly lumping in good first-generation biofuels with bad ones. They also say it is counterproductive, in that it will discourage investment in second-generation biofuels. Given that many second-generation biofuels are still in development, a change in the support scheme could kill off the momentum toward increased biofuel use in Europe.

A miscalculation in this area could have serious consequences for Europe’s climate change goals. Road transport is currently 95% reliant on oil and accounts for 20% of EU emissions. By the Commission’s own admission, the EU is making “slow” progress in decarbonizing EU transport. Could the revised legislation actually make the situation worse? It is a difficult decision that will have serious implications for Europe’s climate future.

What do you think? Hear from both sides of the argument in the video debate below with Bas Eickhout, a Green member of the European Parliament, and Emmanuel Desplechin from renewable ethanol association ePURE.